News Release

Press Operations

News Release

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Release No: 286-95May 24, 1995

"TOLL-FREE" GULF WAR INCIDENT-REPORTING TELEPHONE LINE OPENED

Secretary of Defense William J. Perry announced today the opening on May 30 of
a new toll-free telephone hotline for all military and civilian members who
served in the Persian Gulf region beginning in August 1990. This Gulf War
incident reporting line offers these veterans the opportunity to report details
first-hand of incidents they believe may have led to a medical problem they or
others have experienced since returning from the Persian Gulf. This toll-free
service will also accept calls from health care providers who have theories
requiring further investigation based upon their evaluation of patients with
illnesses possibly related to service in the Persian Gulf War.

The new toll-free number is 1-800-472-6719 and will operate daily from 8 a.m.
to 11 p.m. (EDT), beginning May 30, 1995.

"As the President and others have said before, we will leave no stone unturned
to get at the reasons why some Gulf War veterans became ill after they returned
from the war," Secretary Perry said. "We want to examine first-hand accounts
directly from those who were in the Gulf to make sure we don't miss anything
important that might shed some light on these illnesses."

Former Deputy Secretary of Defense John Deutch set in motion an effort to make
documents available concerning service in the Persian Gulf. Later this summer,
the Department will begin to make available via the Internet, all relevant
declassified medical, operational and intelligence documents from the Persian
Gulf War.

In addition to the new Gulf War Incident Reporting Line, the Department
operates a separate toll-free hotline at 1-800-796-9699 for military members
and their eligible family members to call to register for medical examination
and treatment. Gulf War veterans who have left active duty can call the
Department of Veterans Affairs hotline at 1-800-749-8387 for similar medical
assistance.